BLOG POST
The International Day of the Girl Child aims to celebrate girls worldwide, to advocate for their rights and ensure their voices are amplified. This year's theme focuses on Girls' vision for the future. This post examines the present realities of sexual violence girls face worldwide as well as the active preventative steps being taken towards a future where the rights of the girl child are protected and upheld.
The author of this blog post is Cayla Miller, one of our incredible interns contributing to our work in preventing and understanding sexual violence against children.
Realities of the Girl child: Sexual violence disproportionately perpetrated against girls
The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) sets out an obligation on State parties to take all appropriate measures to protect children from sexual violence. [1] The unfortunate reality is that millions of children experience sexual violence every year. [2] Research has consistently shown girls are disproportionately affected. [3]
1 in 10 girls under the age of 20 have been forced to perform sexual acts. [4] 1 in 5 girls are sexually abused in their lifetime. [5] In armed conflict, 98% of the victims and survivors of UN-verified reported cases of sexual violence against children were girls. These statistics correspond with trends in the victim demographics for child sexual abuse material (CSAM). In Protect Children’s 2KNOW project, survey data found that 78% of respondents seeking CSAM searched for material depicting girls. [6]
As highlighted in the 2KNOW project, the findings demonstrate that sexual violence against children is a gendered issue, aligning with gender stereotypes and patriarchal structures and the resultant objectification and sexualisation of girls. [7] Although no single reason can be used to fully explain why girls are often targets of sexual violence, hypersexualisation and objectification of girls in media, social and cultural representations can serve to trivialise and normalise the violence suffered. [8]
The consequences and repercussions of sexual violence can be severe and long term, effecting both the mental and physical health of girls. [9] The International Day of the Girl Child serves as a reminder that although this is the reality faced by many girls, this should not be the end point. Active steps should be taken towards a future in which the right of girls to be free from sexual violence is actualised.
Hope for the Girl child: Active steps towards a future without sexual violence
Taking active steps towards a future where children are free from sexual violence requires a holistic approach. This includes support in the aftermath of sexual violence but importantly it also includes developing and adopting preventative interventions. Support should be multidisciplinary and provided to the victims as well as their parents, guardians, and families. This is reflected in Protect Children’s 2KNOW project aimed at improving data collection and offering support to carers of child victims through a peer support model.
The voices of survivors should play a significant role in understanding the effects of sexual violence and to help ensure the preventative measures adopted to address future crimes are effective. The global Our Voice survivor survey aims to help raise the voice and wisdom of survivors of sexual violence in childhood.
A further important tool in prevention of sexual violence against children is education. This must also be looked at holistically. Education can be targeted at children, educators, professionals as well as potential perpetrators. #MyFriendToo is a project aimed at empowering young persons in helping friends who have been subjected to sexual violence, to disclose to a safe adult. Online Road Safety is a campaign which is directed at educators, families and children to ensure children have digital safety skills and are safe online. Furthermore, 2PS: Prevent and Protect Through Support informs individuals with a sexual interest in children of available rehabilitation and support systems. This initiative aims to prevent the occurrence of child sexual abuse and exploitation by directly addressing individuals at risk of committing these crimes.
These projects represent active steps currently being taken to work towards a future where all children are free from sexual violence. A research based holistic approach serves as an essential basis to ensure children are fully protected from sexual violence in all its forms. Support of victims and survivors is of great importance. However, in working towards the future we envision for the girl child, support alone is insufficient. Active, preventative measures are essential in making this future a reality.
Conclusion
On the International Day of the Girl Child it is important not to be overwhelmed by the risk faced by girls worldwide. The reality of sexual violence is sobering, however, the future is not without hope. A future where every child, including every girl child, is free from sexual violence can both be envisioned and actively worked towards. These steps and interventions include awareness raising, advocacy and measures aimed at prevention. In these ways hope is maintained that the future vision for girls worldwide is one that can be achieved.
References:
[1] UNGA, (1990) “Convention on the Rights of the Child” art 19 & 34.
[2] UNICEF. (2022).”Sexual violence against children”.
[3] UNICEF. (2020). “Gender Dimensions of Violence Against Children and Adolescents”.
[4] UNICEF. (2022). Sexual violence against children. Sexual violence against children | UNICEF.
[5] Swift, J., & Gould, H. (2021). “Not an object: on sexualization and exploitation of women and girls”.
[6] Insoll, T., Díaz Bethencourt, E., Ovaska, A., Lahtinen, H.-M., & Vaaranen-Valkonen, N. (2024). “Knowledge to Prevent Online Sexual Violence Against Children: Insights from a Survey of Child Sexual Abuse Material Offenders”.
[7] Insoll, T., Díaz Bethencourt, E., Ovaska, A., Lahtinen, H.-M., & Vaaranen-Valkonen, N. (2024). “Knowledge to Prevent Online Sexual Violence Against Children: Insights from a Survey of Child Sexual Abuse Material Offenders”.
[8] Swift, J., & Gould, H. (2021). “Not an object: on sexualization and exploitation of women and girls”. & Insoll, T., Díaz Bethencourt, E., Ovaska, A., Lahtinen, H.-M., & Vaaranen-Valkonen, N. (2024). “Knowledge to Prevent Online Sexual Violence Against Children: Insights from a Survey of Child Sexual Abuse Material Offenders”.
[9] Barbara, G., Albertini, V., Tagi, V. M., Maggioni, L., Gorio, M. C., Cattaneo, C., Prazzini, F., Ricci, E. Buggio, L., & Kustermann, A. (2022). “Characteristics of Sexual Violence Against Adolescent Girls: A 10 Years’ Retrospective Study of 731 Sexually Abused Adolescents”.